MANILA, Philippines — The Senate Impeachment Court returned on Tuesday to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) the box containing the tax records of Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.
The BIR commissioner's office, through Anne Loraine Garcia-Marquez, received the box at exactly 11:07 a.m.
Court Presiding Officer Francis Escudero on Monday ruled to return the box to the BIR.
"The court is not yet in 'custodia legis' of this box given that there is no lawful court order issued by the court on this box to be turned over to the Senate."
"Moreso, that this is not yet offered evidence," the Senator-Judge said.
"The chair therefore orders that the BIR box closed sealed and not in receipt be sent back to the BIR or the Bureau of Internal Revenue without prejudice to any action that the court may make," Escudero said.
Impeachment Court spokesman Regie Tungol, however, said the House prosecutors have asked the court to issue subpoena the tax documents of Duterte, Carpio and "22 businesses which respondent allegedly has interest in."
Tungol, in a briefing, also said the prosecutors also renewed their request for the court to subpoena Duterte's bank records through Anti-Money Laundering Council Chairman Eli Remolona Jr.
The defense will be given five days upon receipt of the prosecution's requests to file their comment on the matter. Afterwards, oral arguments will be scheduled.
